IONA - Interdisciplinary Oncological Follow-Up Clinic in Vienna

ABSTRACT

Introduction: Cancer in childhood and adolescence can be cured in many cases nowadays. In Vienna, patients are treated either in the St. Anna Children's Hospital or at the University Clinic for Pediatrics and Adolescent Medicine (Neuro-Oncology). Short-term follow-up is usually performed in the children's hospitals. Afterwards patients had to organize the necessary examinations themselves for many years. This so-called transition was not successful in many cases, as the detection and treatment of therapy and disease-associated secondary diseases requires appropriate expertise. Methods: “IONA - Interdisciplinary Oncological Follow-Up Clinic” is now offering age-appropriate, medical and psychosocial long-term follow-up since the beginning of 2020. A team of one experienced hemato/oncologist, two clinical psychologists and a social worker are offering the so-called “survivors” a specialized care, including medical check-ups tailored to the treatment and advices on risk fac-tors in order to identify and treat possible late effects early on. In addition, there is psychosocial care and, if necessary, neuropsycho-logical diagnostics. The health center where IONA is located also offers an optimal multi-professional network for this group of pa-tients. Results: More than 300 survivors have been transitioned since IONA started in early 2020. The majority of them suffered from CNS tumor, acute leukemia or lymphoma and were assigned directly by the hospitals, which guarantees continuous care. There is also reg-ular exchange between the attending physicians as well as the psy-chologists, social workers and administrative employees. During the COVID pandemic, video and audio telephony were also used to hold joint conversations. Conclusions: IONA offers interdisciplinary, standardized long-term follow-up care for patients from the age of 18 who had a hemato/oncologic disease in their childhood, adolescence or young adulthood and who have completed their medical therapy and short-term follow- up care at the responsible clinic. IONA accompanies patients in their transition process through close cooperation with the referring hospitals.